Needham-raised former NFL tight end Eric Johnson

Johnson started for the Needham High Rockets his junior and senior years. He played running back, wide receiver, free safety and even punter for the Rockets, who went 8-2 and 7-3 those seasons, respectively.

Johan said he couldn't quite tell if the then slender Johnson had the makings of a professional athlete, but he knew he had the drive.

"I would say he was an on the field type leader," said Johan. "He kind of led by example. He worked hard in practice. He was a very intense kid in that regard."

Johnson, a seventh round draft pick of the new San Francisco 49ers  jerseys in 2001, hit the ground running after his days on the Needham High School gridiron. He was a star wide received at Yale University in 2000, and went on to catch 40 passes for 362 yards his rookie season in San Francisco. Plagued by injuries throughout his years in San Francisco, he signed a new contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2007. He was eventually released by the team in 2008 and hasn't seen the field since, or the media spotlight, since.

"A lot of people have listened to a lot of the commentaries throughout a lot of the media outlets, mainly ESPN, that has my character in question as far as things that have happened in the past," Owens said. "And I think even though I may do 99 good things right and if I do one thing wrong, ESPN and the people on there is gonna make it out to be the worst thing ever."

He is probably half right and half wrong here. Yes, ESPN and many media outlets do spotlight him when he does something wrong, but it's only because over the course of his career, he's asked for it. He's done enough bad things (team-wrecking things, not seriously bad things like rape or murder, and we do need to be clear on that) to put the microscope on himself.

He even says that he's willing to take on a No. 2-WR role and that he's "probably in the best shape of my life," and ready "to give a team an opportunity to get to a Super Bowl."

Owens hasn't gone on any visits, but it's not because teams don't think he can play. We're sure there is interest there. But supposedly he wants $5 million per year and that's probably where the sticking point is.